East Coast Athletic Club

19/06/2026

When we coach our young athletes, we focus on them and their athletic development.. running, throwing, jumping. Building strength, endurance and a familiarity with all of these sporting traits.

And.. above all, discipline and a strong work ethic.

Imogen was one of our young athletes. Look at her now. Currently not prioritising athletics, but excelling at powerlifting Bear Strong Performance Centre and rowing Cairndhu Rowing Club.

GO Imogen! We're super proud of you.

Likewise, all of our athletes and former members who carry the East Coast AC 'flag' into other aspects of their personal journey. 🫡

14/06/2026

Congratulations Leo! ⭐❤️

2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ parkrun

Leo has been with our club as a Cheetah (our youngest age group) and now a junior athlete - he listens, works hard and inspires everyone around him!

WELL DONE Leo… from all your East Coast AC club mates! 🙌

🌟 WOW! A Historic Milestone at Larne Junior parkrun! 🌟

Today we celebrated a truly incredible achievement at Larne Junior parkrun as we presented our first-ever 250 Milestone Award! 🏅💜

Reaching 250 junior parkruns is a remarkable accomplishment that represents years of commitment, enthusiasm, perseverance, and countless kilometres covered on Sunday mornings. This milestone is about so much more than running – it reflects dedication, resilience, and being a valued part of our parkrun community.

We are immensely proud to celebrate this historic moment and to recognise such an outstanding achievement. Thank you for being an inspiration to fellow juniors and showing what can be achieved through consistency and determination.

Please join us in congratulating our very first 250 milestone recipient! 👏👏👏

Thank you so much for bringing cake to celebrate and share with your parkrun friends 🎂

We hope you enjoyed your well deserved ice cream 🍦 thank you Lustys Centra Larne Townparks

💜🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏅

09/06/2026

You all said it was misty up in the hills....🤷🏻👀

That's a wrap on Cairncastle Classic Fell Race 2026. Thanks again to everyone involved. Participants, landowners, Spar Ballygally, Cairncastle Primary School, NIMRA, local residents and of course our volunteers. You are amazing.

🙏🏻🙂

09/06/2026

EIRIN & BLAINE 🆚 STOCKHOLM MARATHON ✅💥

CONGRATULATIONS to East Coast AC athletes Eirin and Blaine Stewart who completed the Stockholm Marathon, in Sweden, on Sunday 30th May 2026.

Siblings, Blaine and Eirin targeted the Scandinavian test and worked hard towards their goal. Although a relatively flat 26.2 mile route, the heat around the beautiful city proved to be a big impact factor for many participants.

Despite this, our tough pair persevered, running the race together and completing the iconic distance in a fantastic 4:07:14. What a team. 👏🏻

A big WELL DONE to both Eirin and Blaine! 🖤💛

08/06/2026

⚫⛰️ ANDREW TOPPING NI's TALLEST PEAK ⛰️🟡

On Saturday 29th May 2026 East Coast AC athlete Andrew Topping continued his impressive off road exploits, with an excellent ascent and descent, at the Slieve Donard Mountain Race.

The iconic up and down event is organised by Newcastle AC and takes runners to the summit of Slieve Donard, the tallest mountain in Northern Ireland, standing at a mighty 850 metres above sea level.

Starting in Donard Park, participants climbed to the Donard-Commedagh saddle cairn, before the final ascent to Donard summit and then it was a tricky descent to the quarry on the lower slopes of the scenic (but brutal) Mourne Mountains.

Andrew completed the tough and technical course in 1.19:36, for a brilliant 1st place in the MV60 Category and 49th male athlete. Another fantastic personal achievement!

Well done Andrew! 👏

08/06/2026

CLARKIN COMPLETES NEWRY CITY 10K EVENT 💥

On Sunday 24th May 2026 East Coast AC athlete Paul Clarkin made the journey south, to Newry, to race in the hugely popular Half Marathon and 10k races, organised by Newry City Runners.

The race is well known for personal best times, with many records being set on the flat and fast course. Athletes have travelled from all parts of the country with aspirations to ring their ‘PB Bell’ at the end of the race.

With over 900 entries in the half marathon and 600 in the 10k, this was a big field of talented athletes and a sell out, well in advance of the big day.

The course starts and finishes outside the Quays Shopping Centre, with participants making the long straight journey towards Warrenpoint, alongside the scenic Newry River, before turning and retracing their steps to the atmospheric finish line.

Conditions on the day were tough, with beautiful sunshine, but a very hot day to be racing.

Paul raced superbly, taking on the 10k distance in 46:54. A brilliant effort from our athlete, who were really glad to see back racing again.

WELL DONE Paul! 👏🏻🖤💛

07/06/2026

⚫ 13 BATTLE BALLYCLARE 5K & 10K EVENTS 🟡

On Saturday 23rd May 2026 thirteen East Coast AC athletes made the trip to Ballyclare, to take part in the annual running of County Antrim Harriers 5k and 10k races. Both races are always popular to our members and this year was no different.

The event is part of the week long festivities in the town, with the 'Mayfair' itself dating back to the early nineteenth century.

Originally, the Mayfair was a horse show, with representatives of cavalry regiments from all over Europe coming to buy horses, because of the reputation.

In more recent times it has become a week long event with family fun, amusements, street performers, a soapbox derby, parades, shows and much much more, including this fantastic race.

The 5k and 10k races start and finish at Ballyclare Rugby club with the 5k route veering off to the right down the main street to the six-mile water park with the 10k route heading left following some undulating country roads to Doagh and back to the rugby club for a fast finish.

Our talented team of athletes put all of their consistent work to good effect and produced some absolutely stunning results. Here's how they got on ⤵️

First up was the 5k:
Matthew Maguire - 19:13
Karl Joyce - 24:11
Sharon Jackson - 31:52
Dawn Ralph - 32:37
Lesley Robinson - 32:37
Lillian Magee - 33:14
Doris Kirby - 33:32
Margaret Wilson - 40:00

Mayfair 10K results ⤵️
Trevor McRoberts - 38:52
Fiona Holley - 44:48 (PB)
Yolande Wilson - 45:37
Hannah O’Toole -48:08
Louise McMullan - 1:05:36

A MASSIVE well done to all thirteen of our members who made the trip and put in such great performances.

We would like to say THANK YOU to our good friends at County Antrim Harriers, for the warm welcome and for putting on such a great event. The spread afterwards was a challenge in itself! 😊

07/06/2026

⚫ TOPPING CONQUERS THE COAST 'HALF' 🟡

Back in May, (Saturday 16th May 2026) our mountain man Andrew Topping swapped the peaks for the roads, making the trip to the beautiful town of Killough, in County Down, to race in the second running of the Coast Half Marathon, organised by Born 2 Run.
There was also a 10k option for runners at this fabulous, picturesque event.

The course has some stunning backdrops, including the iconic St John's Point Lighthouse and passes the quaint townlands of Rossglass and Minerstown, before returning back to an atmospheric finish line in Killough.

Andrew covered the 13.1 mile route well, finishing in a fantastic time of 1:41:29. A super effort from our experienced, multi-terrain athlete.

WELL DONE Andrew! 👏🏻